Super Sweet 3

My Sweet Jacob,

I have thought much about what I wanted to write to you on this, your 3rd birthday. Three years ago today, your daddy and I rushed to the hospital - you were on your way. We had no idea what you would look like or be like. All we knew was that we couldn't wait to meet you. The moment they placed your tiny little body (all wrapped up in a blanket) in my arms, I knew it was over. How could I love someone so much? And, I have not stopped loving you. Three years later I still love you more than life itself.

There are days when I feel like life is moving too fast. You are growing up too quickly. Sometimes I wish I could reverse time and go back to when you would just lay in my arms all day. But I can't. And you wouldn't want to. I know I must embrace the present and all the ways that you are growing and learning. We talk all the time about how you are becoming such a big boy. And you are. But know this - you are not just any old big boy. You are nothing but regular. You are special. You are one-of-a-kind. There has never been and there never will be another Jacob Thomas Vaughn.

You are becoming such a wonderful young man. You are learning to use good manners, you are learning what it means to be a good friend, you are caring and gentle, you are thoughtful and oh so smart, you are learning to make good choices, you are a great sharer, you are loving and kind towards others. These things and so much more make me so proud.

You are also full of life, exuberant, joyful, playful, easy-going, mischievous, strong-willed, wild at heart, full -out/head on ALL BOY!!!! And, I love every bit of you.

One of my favorite things about this stage of your life is watching you grow to love God's Word. Your Bible (front cover missing and all) is your favorite book. We read a story in it every night before bed. You get so excited to see what story will be next. I love seeing your excitement and wonder over stories such as Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, Adam and Eve, and feeding the 5,000. May you always be amazed by a boat that held every type of animal, a man that got swallowed by a whale, a snake that can talk, and how 2 fish and some bread could feed so many people. It is my prayer that you will grow to delight in God's Word more and more and that you will continue to discover the wealth of riches among it's pages.

As a mom, it is so hard for me to not want to control every part of your life. Up until now I feel like I've been able to do a pretty good job of knowing what was going on. I have taken care of you, provided for you, clothed you, fed you, rocked you to sleep, been with you every second of every day. As you are getting bigger I realize that this is going to be harder. You are beginning to have experiences and relationships outside of me. I know that I must trust God to take care of you and to be there when I can't. I know this is something I will have to pray for continually.

I wanted to write down a few of my favorite things you are doing/saying at 3:
-you are now in your big boy room. every morning you run into our room saying, "i looked out my window. it's light out. i can get up now.
-you love to read books
-"i don't need you anymore. i can do it myself. (this one kinda makes me sad, but you say it so cutely).
-noodle (needle), bleed (blood), shadow (the hangy thing in the back of your throat)
-the way you say the street to get to our house - Pennywinwin
-you are learning to play board games
-you are learning a lot more Spanish
-letter sound/recognition (A,B,C,G,H,M,O,W). you can also spell your name.
-get so excited about going to sporting events. we just went to your first hockey game and you loved it.
-you love to go to church
-you love your friends
-you love to spend quality time with your daddy
-you give me great big hugs and say "i love you" - melts my heart every time.
-when your daddy or I have been gone and we come back you wrap your arms around our neck and say, "I sure did miss you".
-you love to have your back scratched
-your FAVORITE thing to do right now is watch the garbage truck. we sit outside or sometimes ride your trike down the sidewalk and watch it pick up all the trash. you love to shout, "it's garbage day!!"
-going to the library
-you have so many facial expressions and voices. i really think you might be the "class clown"

I still can't believe you are another year older. I am so thankful everyday that you are healthy and growing strong. I am so thankful God gave you a mind that can think, a heart that can beat, eyes that can see, ears that can hear, and legs that can move. I am thankful you are active and love to be with other people. I am thankful you are not chronically sick. I am thankful you are mine. Out of all the children in the world, I only want you. And out of all the mommies and daddies in the world, I am thankful God chose us to be yours. May we strive to be the example of a Christ-centered life for you. May everything we do point you to Him and remind you of your need for a Savior. We are not going to be perfect. We are going to make mistakes (as you already know). But know this, no two people will love you more. No matter who you are or what you become. No matter the choices you make - good or bad. NOTHING. NOTHING will make us stop loving you.

You fill each day with so much joy and laughter. I am so proud of you my sweet blessing. I love you more than words.

Mommy